Shock absorbing seat

ABSTRACT

A shock-absorbing outdoor seat for recreational boats and the like includes a cushion member shaped to abuttingly support a seated user on an upper surface thereof, and a one-piece, hollow molded seat body member. The seat body member includes a front portion with a connector, a raised rear portion, and a recessed base portion shaped to position the cushion member thereover. The seat also includes a shock-absorbing member positioned over the recessed base portion. The shock-absorbing member includes a deck supporting the cushion on an upper side thereof and which includes a rear attachment portion and a front attachment portion mounted to said connector of said front portion of said seat body member. The shock-absorbing member also includes a plurality of longitudinally extensible spring members having forward and rearward ends, a plurality of spring bosses molded integrally in the raised rear portion of the seat body to define apertures extending in a fore-to-aft direction which receive therethrough the rearward ends of the spring members, and a connector rod extending along a back area of the raised portion of the seat body. The connector is connected with the rearward ends of the spring members to support the deck in a pre-tensed condition over the recessed base portion of the seat body for absorbing shock loading applied to the seat by the seated user.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.10/079,735, filed Feb. 21, 2002 (now abandoned) and entitled SHOCKABSORBING SEAT, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.09/484,973, filled Jan. 18, 2000, U.S. Pat. No. 6,357,830, which areboth hereby incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to outdoor seating and the like, and inparticular to a hollow molded, shock absorbing seat for use inrecreational boats, and other similar applications.

Recreational boating has prompted the need for many configurations andstyles of boat seating. One style that has developed is pedestal-styleseating in which the seat is supported on a pedestal above a boatsurface such as the boat deck. During operation of the boat, the seateduser absorbs the shock transmitted from the boat surface, through thepedestal and into the seat. These shock forces are intensified when theassociated boat is operated in rough or turbulent waters when the hullof the boat strikes large swells and wakes.

Heretofore, boat seats have offered little in the way of suspensionsystems for adding comfort to the user. Typically, boat seats consist ofa frame structure that is overlayed or covered with a foam padding whichis then encased within a cover. The shock absorption of these seats isdirectly related to the amount of foam between the user and the seatframe, which has structural limitations.

A boat seating system is needed which provides sufficient shockabsorption for a seated user and is economical to manufacture.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of the present invention is to provide a shock-absorbingoutdoor seat for recreational boats and the like, that includes acushion member shaped to abuttingly support a seated user on an uppersurface thereof, and a one-piece hollow molded seat body member having afront portion with a connector, a raised rear portion, and a recessedbase portion shaped to position the cushion member thereover. The seatalso includes a shock-absorbing member positioned over a central area ofthe recessed base portion. The shock-absorbing member includes a decksupporting the cushion on an upper side thereof, a front attachmentportion mounted to said connector of said front portion of said seatbody member, and a rear attachment portion. The shock-absorbing memberalso includes a plurality of longitudinally extensible spring membershaving forward and rearward ends, a plurality of spring bosses moldedintegrally in the raised portion of the seat body to define aperturesextending in a fore-to-aft direction which receive therethrough therearward ends of the spring members, and a connector rod extending alonga back area of the raised portion of the seat body. The connector rod isconnected with the rearward ends of the spring members to support thedeck in a pre-tensed condition over the recessed base portion of theseat member for absorbing shock loading applied to the seat by theseated user.

Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a shock-absorbingseat for vehicles and the like, that includes a cushion member shaped toabuttingly support a seated user on an upper surface thereof, and a seatbody member having an open top, and a closed recessed base portionshaped to position the cushion member thereover. The seat furtherincludes a shock-absorbing member positioned over the recessed baseportion of the seat body member, and which includes a flexibly resilientdeck supporting the cushion on an upper surface thereof, and a flexiblecover enclosing the open top portion of the body member. The flexiblecover is substantially air impermeable and defines with the closed baseportion an interior air chamber which is substantially air tight, andwhich is selectively pressurized and depressurized by flexure of thecover in response to movement of the deck and the cushion. Theshock-absorbing member further includes at least one port extendingthrough the base portion and communicating with the interior air chamberwith ambient air, and an air regulator covering the port and controllingthe flow of air through the port to provide shock absorption for theseat.

The principle objects of the present invention are to provide a shockabsorbing seat for use in recreational boats, and other similarapplications, that provides improved shock absorption for a seated user,and which is economical to construct and manufacture. A further objectof the present invention is to provide an air-regulated suspension seatthat can be easily operated and adjusted. Yet another object of thepresent invention is to provide a suspension seat that is durable andcapable of a long operating life, as well as being substantially waterresistant.

These and other features, advantages, and objects of the presentinvention will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled inthe art by reference to the following specification, claims, andappended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a shock absorbing seat embodying thepresent invention, with a cover, bladder and cushion partially cut away;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of a front attachmentportion and a connector;

FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view of the seat;

FIG. 4 is a rear elevational view of the seat with an air regulator; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a two-piece embodiment of the presentinvention, wherein a back member is shown in a raised use position; and

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the seat shown in FIG. 5, whereinthe back member is also shown in an intermediate position and a loweredstored position in broken lines.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,”“left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivativesthereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in FIG. 1. However, itis to be understood that the invention may assume various alternativeorientations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to thecontrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices andprocesses illustrated in the attached drawings and described in thefollowing specification are simply exemplary embodiments of theinventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specificdimensions and other physical characteristics relating to theembodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting,unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

The reference numeral 10 (FIG. 1) generally designates a two-piece shockabsorbing outdoor seat embodying the present invention. Seat 10 isparticularly adapted for use in recreational boats and other similarapplications. Seat 10 includes a cushion member 12 shaped to abuttinglysupport a seated user on an upper surface 14 thereof. Seat 10 alsoincludes a one-piece, hollow molded seat body member 16 having a frontportion 18 with a connector 20, a raised rear portion 22, and a recessedbase portion 24 which defines an open top portion 25 and is shaped toposition cushion member 12 thereover. Seat 10 further includes ashock-absorbing member 26 positioned over a central area 28 of recessedbase portion 24. Shock-absorbing member 26 includes a flexibly resilientdeck 30 which supports cushion member 12 on an upper side 32 thereof.Deck 30 includes a front attachment portion 34 mounted to connector 20of front portion 18, and a rear attachment portion 36. Shock-absorbingmember 26 also includes a plurality of longitudinally extensible springmembers 38 each having a forward end 40 and a rearward end 42 (FIG. 3).A plurality of oval-shaped spring bosses 44 are integrally molded withinraised rear portion 22 of seat body member 16 to define apertures 46that extend in a fore-to-aft direction and which receive therethroughrearward ends 42 of spring members 38. Shock-absorbing member 26 furtherincludes a connector rod 48 that extends along a back area 50 of raisedrear portion 22 of seat body member 16. Connector rod 48 is connectedwith rearward ends 42 of spring members 38 to support deck 30 in apre-tensed condition over recessed base portion 24 of seat body member16 for absorbing shock loading applied in a downward direction to seat10 by a seated user.

Seat 10 is shown as part of a seat assembly 11 that includes seat 10 anda pedestal 52. In the illustrated example, seat body member 16 isconstructed from a plastic or a material exhibiting similar properties.Seat body member 16 is preferably formed through a blow molding processsimilar to that disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No.09/162,578, MOLDED TWO-PIECE SEAT SHELL, which is incorporated herein byreference. Although a blow molding process is preferred, it isforeseeable that any suitable method for hollow molding may be utilized.

An advantage of the blow-molded construction is that it provides seatbody member 16 with a sufficient structural rigidity such thatadditional reinforcement of seat body member 16 to supportshock-absorbing member 26 is unnecessary. Spring bosses 44 addstructural rigidity to raised rear portion 222, while uniform wallthickness provides strength throughout the entire structure. A furtheradvantage of the blow-molded construction of seat body member 16 is itslightweight and water resistant properties.

Connector 20 (FIGS. 1 and 2) of front portion 18 of seat body member 16includes a plurality of integrally formed fingers 54 which protrudeforwardly of seat body member 16 to form a ledge 56 that is adapted torotatably receive front attachment portion 34 of deck 30 therein. Frontattachment portion 34 of deck 30 is provided in the form of acylindrically shaped, laterally extending connector rod that is receivedon ledge 56, thereby defining connector 20. Front attachment portion 34of deck 30 rotates on ledge 56 when shock-absorbing member 26 flexes dueto shock loading applied in a downward direction to seat 10 by theseated user.

Connector rod 48 is provided as a cylindrically shaped laterallyextending connector rod that is located within raised rear portion 22 ofseat body member 16 such that connector rod 48 extends through apertures46 as defined by spring bosses 44. Rearward end 42 of each spring member38 is pivotally connected to connector rod 48, thereby allowing eachspring member 38 to pivot about connector rod 48 as shock-absorbingmember 26 flexes due to a shock loading applied to seat 10 by the seateduser. The oval-shape of spring bosses 44 provide clearance for springmembers 38 to move in an up and down vertical direction as rearward end42 of each spring member 38 pivots about connector rod 48.

Deck 30 of shock-absorbing member 26 is provided with a width that isless than the width of recessed base portion 24 and is disposedcentrally thereover to define a pair of open wells 58 on opposite sidesof deck 30. Cushion member 12 comprises a molded foam cushion having acentral area 60 supported on deck 30, and opposite side pillows 62extending into open wells 58 and supported on recessed base portion 24to provide enhanced lateral support of the seated user when the user isnot seated directly over deck 30.

A flexible cover 64 covers seat body member 16 and cushion member 12.Cover 64 is a cloth or synthetic material sufficient for resisting wear.Cover 64 encases open top portion 25 of seat body member 16, and issubstantially air impermeable, thereby defining with the closed recessedbase portion 24, an interior air chamber 66 which is substantially airtight, and which is selectively pressurized and depressurized by flexureof cover 64 in response to movement of deck 30 and cushion member 12. Inone embodiment, the size of apertures 46 within spring bosses 44 may bevaried to adjust the rate of airflow between the air within air chamber66 and the ambient air surrounding seat 10.

A flexible bladder 67 (FIG. 1) is placed over seated body member 16 andcushion member 12 below cover 64. Bladder 67 is fixedly attached to seatbody member 16 and is adapted to absorb the forces exerted on cover 64by air escaping from within air chamber 66.

Seat body member 16 also includes at least one drain hole 71 located ata lower most point of recessed area 68, which allows water/moisturebuild-up with seat 10 to drain therefrom. Drain hole 71 is sufficientlysmall so as to not interfere with the air transfer properties of seat 10as discussed below.

In another embodiment, back area 50 (FIG. 4) of seat body member 16 isprovided with a recessed area 68 adapted to receive a cover plate 70therein, thereby forming a substantially air tight seal with back area50. Cover plate 70 is provided with a plurality of holes or ports 72extending therethrough, thereby allowing communication between the airwithin interior air chamber 66 and the ambient air surrounding seat 10.Cover plate 70 is also provided with a longitudinally extending slot 74extending at least partially therethrough and adapted to operablyslidably receive a vent plate 76 therein. Vent plate 76 is provided witha plurality of holes or ports 78 similar in size and spaced similarly toholes 72 within cover plate 70.

In operation, vent plate 76 acts in cooperation with cover plate 70 towork as an air regulator thus allowing the user to adjust the rate ofpressurization and depressurization of interior air chamber 66 as cover64 is flexed in response to movement of deck 30 and cushion member 12.More specifically, vent plate 76 may be operably slid within slot 74 ofcover plate 70, thereby either partially or completely aligning and/ormisaligning holes 78 of vent plate 76 of holes 72 of cover plate 70 andeffectively adjusting the size of the apertures formed by holes 78overlying holes 72. The air regulator allows the user to adjust thesupport offered by the air located within interior air chamber 66 forsupporting loads of various weight.

In another alternative embodiment, a seat 80 (FIG. 5) is provided with aseat body member 82 similar in construction to seat body member 16 ofseat 10. Seat 80 is further provided with a back body member 84 that ishingedly attached to seat body member 82. In the illustrated example,back body member 84 is constructed from a plastic or a materialexhibiting similar properties. Back body member 84 is preferably formedthrough a blow molding process, and has a substantially uniform wallthickness. Although a blow molding process is preferred, it isforeseeable that any suitable method for hollow molding may be utilized.

As illustrated, seat body member 82 is provided with a plurality ofintegrally formed hinge fingers 86 that extend along a raised rearportion 88 thereof. Back body member 84 is provided with a plurality ofintegrally formed hinged fingers 90 extending along a lower portion 92thereof, and which are configured so as to be mateably engagable hingefingers 86 of seat body member 82. Hinge fingers 86 of seat body member82 and hinge fingers 90 of back body member 84 are meshed with oneanother to define a normally substantially horizontally oriented hinge94 therealong. The present embodiment utilizes five hinge fingers 82associated with seat body member 82 and four hinge fingers 90 associatedwith back body member 84, however, other suitable combinations of hingefingers could be used. As shown in FIG. 6, back body member 84 isrotatably moveable about hinge 94 between a raised use position 96, alowered storage position 98, and a plurality of intermediate positions100 therebetween.

While the foregoing description of the present invention is done withinthe context of seating for recreational boats, other applications areforeseeable, including, but not limited to, earth moving andconstruction equipment, lawn care equipment, electric carts, handicapcarts and stadium seating.

In the foregoing description, it will be readily appreciated by thoseskilled in the art that modifications may be made to the inventionwithout departing from the concepts disclosed herein. Such modificationsare to be considered as included in the following claims, unless theseclaims by their language expressly state otherwise.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A shock-absorbing outdoor seat forrecreational boats, comprising: a cushion member shaped to abuttinglysupport a seated user on an upper surface thereof; a seat body member,comprising: a front portion; a rear portion having a raised portionextending above the front portion; and a recessed base portion shaped toposition the cushion member substantially thereover; a shock-absorbingassembly positioned over the recessed base portion, and comprising: aplurality of longitudinally extending support members supporting thecushion member on an upper side thereof, and comprising a rearattachment portion, and a front attachment portion operably connected tothe front portion of the seat body member; at least one longitudinallyextensible spring member comprising a forward end and a rearward end,wherein the forward end of the at least one spring member is operablyconnected with the rear attachment portion of the longitudinallyextending support members; and a connector member operably connected toand extending across the rear portion of the seat body member, and beingoperably connected with the rearward end of the at least one springmember to support the shock-absorbing assembly in a pre-tensed conditionover the recessed base portion of the seat body member for absorbingshock loading applied to the seat by the seated user.
 2. Theshock-absorbing outdoor seat of claim 1, wherein the at least one springmember comprises a plurality of coil springs.
 3. The shock-absorbingoutdoor seat of claim 1, wherein the seat body member is constructed asa single piece.
 4. The shock-absorbing outdoor seat of claim 1, whereinthe seat body member is blow-molded.
 5. The shock-absorbing outdoor seatof claim 1, wherein the connector member extends across the raisedportion of the rear portion.
 6. The shock-absorbing outdoor seat ofclaim 1, wherein the connector member extends across a rearwardly facingsurface of the raised portion.
 7. The shock-absorbing outdoor seat ofclaim 1, wherein the longitudinal extending support members have asubstantially circular cross-sectional geometry.
 8. The shock-absorbingoutdoor seat of claim 1, wherein the shock-absorbing assembly comprisesa plurality of laterally extending support members.
 9. Theshock-absorbing outdoor seat of claim 1, wherein that front portion ofthe seat body member comprises a recessed area the receives the frontattachment portion of the longitudinally extending support members. 10.The shock-absorbing outdoor seat of claim 1, wherein the longitudinallyextending support members are independent of one another.
 11. Theshock-absorbing outdoor seat of claim 1, wherein the longitudinallyextending support members are spaced apart.
 12. The shock-absorbingoutdoor seat of claim 1, wherein the longitudinally extending supportmembers and the at least one spring member are independent of oneanother.
 13. The shock-absorbing outdoor seat of claim 1, wherein therecessed base portion of the seat body member extends at least partiallybelow the shock-absorbing assembly.
 14. The shock-absorbing outdoor seatof claim 1, wherein the raised portion of the rear portion of the seatbody is adapted to at least partially support a lumbar region of aseated user.
 15. The shock-absorbing outdoor seat of claim 1, whereinthe seat body member is constructed of plastic.
 16. The shock-absorbingoutdoor seat of claim 1, wherein the seat body member is hollow molded.17. The shock-absorbing outdoor seat of claim 16, wherein theshock-absorbing assembly extends completely through the rear portion ofthe seat body member.
 18. The shock-absorbing outdoor seat of claim 17,wherein the seat body member further comprises at least one spring bossmolded integrally in the rear portion of the seat body member, andwherein the at least one spring boss defines at least one apertureextending in a fore-to-aft direction which receives therethrough therearward end of the at least one spring member.
 19. The shock-absorbingoutdoor seat of claim 18, wherein the at least one spring membercomprises a plurality of coil springs.
 20. The shock-absorbing outdoorseat of claim 19, wherein the seat body member is constructed as asingle piece.
 21. The shock-absorbing outdoor seat of claim 20, whereinthe seat body member is blow-molded.
 22. The shock-absorbing outdoorseat of claim 21, wherein the connector member extends across the raisedportion of the rear portion.
 23. The shock-absorbing outdoor seat ofclaim 22, wherein the connector member extends across a rearwardlyfacing surface of the raised portion.
 24. The shock-absorbing outdoorseat of claim 23, wherein the longitudinal extending support membershave a substantially circular cross-sectional geometry.
 25. Theshock-absorbing outdoor seat of claim 24, wherein the shock-absorbingassembly comprises a plurality of laterally extending support members.26. The shock-absorbing outdoor seat of claim 25, wherein the frontportion of the seat body member comprises a recessed area that receivesthe front attachment portion of the longitudinally extending supportmembers.
 27. The shock-absorbing outdoor seat of claim 1, wherein theshock-absorbing assembly extends completely through the rear portion ofthe seat body member.
 28. The shock-absorbing outdoor seat of claim 1,wherein seat body member further comprises at least one spring bossmolded integrally in the rear portion of the seat body member, andwherein the at least one spring boss defines at least one apertureextending in a fore-to-aft direction which receives therethrough therearward end of the at least one spring member.